As global trade disruptions continue to create uncertainty for businesses, the Government of Canada is focused on what we can control: building a stronger, more resilient Canadian economy. B.C.'s innovative businesses play a vital role in creating good jobs and supporting vibrant communities throughout the province. To remain competitive and resilient, they must continue to adapt and seize opportunities for growth.
Through the Regional Tariff Response Initiative (RTRI), the Government of Canada is helping businesses across the country navigate ongoing trade challenges by boosting productivity, strengthening supply chains, and reaching new domestic and global markets.
Today, the Honourable Gregor Robertson, Minister of Housing and Infrastructure and Minister responsible for Pacific Economic Development Canada (PacifiCan), announced an investment of over $30.5 million in RTRI funding for 24 businesses and organizations across B.C. to help them pivot to new pathways for growth, improve productivity, expand into new markets, reduce costs, and build more resilient supply chains. This investment will also help protect jobs in key sectors affected by global trade disruptions such as advanced manufacturing, forestry, and steel and aluminum.
Minister Robertson made the announcement at Quadrogen, a Burnaby-based clean technology company that develops systems to clean and upgrade biogas - a renewable gas made from organic waste - into energy. Quadrogen is receiving a $3.6 million PacifiCan investment to design, manufacture and demonstrate a lower-cost biogas clean-up and upgrading system for deployment in developing markets, including India. This will support skilled jobs in B.C., strengthen clean technology exports, and help reduce methane emissions.
This announcement includes investments for 23 additional B.C. businesses and organizations, including Mahler Machining and COTA Aviation. Mahler is a Coquitlam-based manufacturer of complex metal and plastic components for sectors such as aerospace, defence, medical devices, robotics, clean technology and forestry. An investment of $1 million will help Mahler modernize its facility by adding advanced equipment, automation, and new software to improve productivity and support expansion into new markets. COTA is a Parksville based, majority Indigenous owned company that manufactures specialized parts used for aircraft and defence applications. An investment of $1 million will help COTA purchase and install advanced equipment to produce gears for use in aircraft and defence systems in B.C.
Through the Regional Tariff Response Initiative, the Government of Canada is helping businesses turn today's trade challenges into opportunities for growth. The investments announced today will provide B.C. businesses with the tools they need to adapt to an increasingly uncertain global environment, grow locally, diversify export markets, and create prosperity for British Columbians and all Canadians.
More details about these investments can be found in the backgrounder.
